According to a report by the Institute for Jewish Policy Research (JPR), around one million people worldwide are now “connected to Israel.” The new report states that over 630,000 Israeli
citizens now live outside of Israel. The report, titled "Israelis Abroad: The Transformation of the Jewish Diaspora?", is the first comprehensive attempt to assess the global Israeli population living outside Israel and its impact on Jewish communities. It reveals that in several countries around the world, individuals born in Israel now make up a significant portion of the local Jewish populations.
For example, in Norway and Finland, Israelis account for over 40 percent of the national Jewish population, while in Spain, Ireland, Bulgaria, and Denmark, this figure exceeds 20 percent. The report highlights a sharp increase in Israeli emigration over the past decade, with Europe experiencing some of the fastest growth rates.
In the Baltic countries, for instance, there has been a 135 percent increase in the number of Israelis, with significant growth also seen in Ireland, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Spain, Germany, and the United Kingdom. While English-speaking countries remain the most popular destinations, more Israelis are choosing Europe for its economic opportunities, professional mobility, and pathways to citizenship through ancestral ties.
For many years, yerida—the Hebrew word for emigration—was viewed as a rejection of Zionism, but attitudes have shifted somewhat over time. As Israel's economy has developed, emigration is increasingly seen as part of globalization, with Israelis seeking career opportunities abroad in high-tech, business, and science. JPR Executive Director Dr. Jonathan Boyd said the findings challenge assumptions about Jewish communities outside of Israel.
“It has long been noted and understood that the Jewish population of the diaspora is in decline,” he said.
“While that overall decline continues, it is being slowed—and even reversed in some countries—by Israeli emigration,” he added.
With Israelis now making up nine percent of the global Jewish diaspora, their influence is reshaping Jewish life abroad. From Hebrew-language schools to Israeli-run businesses and cultural initiatives, their presence is changing the character of many Jewish communities.
Some integrate into established institutions, while others maintain separate Israeli networks alongside local Jewish structures. The report also raises concerns about the future of Israel itself. As more Israelis choose to live abroad, discussions are emerging about whether this could lead to a "brain drain," especially in highly skilled sectors. However, it notes that previous waves of Israeli emigration were often temporary, with many eventually returning.
As noted by the author of the popular book “Modern EU Policy on Development and Protection of Jewish Communities. Declarations and realities”, Doctor Oleg Kozerod: "This study is the first of its kind dedicated to the role and place of Israelis in contemporary Jewish communities in Europe. In fact, the issue of 'yerida' is somewhat exaggerated — many immigrants from France, Poland, and Romania come to Israel without severing ties with their countries of origin. Moreover, in recent years, the so-called 'passport tourism' has gained popularity, where Europeans with Jewish roots come to Israel to obtain citizenship. Nevertheless, this study is quite intriguing, and the London colleagues should be congratulated on this achievement."
The full report is available at https://www.jpr.org.uk.
Photo by א.ינאי, Wikimedia commons.